Tuesday, July 29, 2008

The Beijing National Aquatics Center, “Water Cube”, was built in accordance with a water-saving design concept to be a gigantic green architectural wonder. The venue’s membrane structure, covered by ETFE (Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene) air cushions, is not only the first of its kind in China and the world’s largest and most complex ETFE project, but it is also an economical and water-saving creation.

This bubble type swimming stadium built for the Olympics is indeed a beautiful structure besides its eco friendly water saving approach.

Here are a few pics of Beijing Olympic's "Water Cube" - Beijing National Aquatics Center

Monday, July 28, 2008

If you are visiting Beijing for the Olympics, I am sure you will not miss the opportunity to take a short tour around the place and get yourself more familiar with China and Beijing. Restricting yourself to the Beijing Olympics area would probably not give you the chance to see the main tourist attractions for Beijing. So before you pack your bags , here are a few places that are must see if you are touring Beijing for the Olympics.

Tiananmen SquareThere is no better place to get the true modern feel of Beijing. Tiananmen Square is huge open space surrounded on all sides by imposing official buildings. Apart from being a popular gathering place for tourists and kite flyers, it is still often used for any big celebration and for the government leaders to address the people. Every lamp post is equipped with an array of speakers which can convey the speakers message to a crowd in the tens of thousands. You can visit the square freely until 10.30pm at night. If you go during the day you can often buy a ticket to go up to the balcony from which the leaders address the people.

If at all possible, you must go check out the square at night as well as during the day. The atmosphere at night is different again and the square is beautifully lit. On a cold winter night with fog is really something. But don't arrive too late, at 10.30pm the soldiers come and evacuate the whole thing in minutes and its sealed off for the night.

Great Wall of ChinaThe Great Wall, as you probably know, is one of the few man made structures visible from space. From Beijing you can get to a few different pieces of the Great Wall within 2 or 3 hours by bus or car. The Badaling part of the great wall is a fully restored section which is long enough to make you feel that it is never going end.

It does, however have two stopping points where you cannot walk any further. From the entrance following the route to the tallest point you can see and over to the stopping point takes about 2 hours (one way) unless you're some kind of Olympic Athlete. Not sure about the other end. We thoroughly recommend the Badaling part, as it is well managed and safe. The other parts are not fully restored and further away anyway.

Forbidden CityThe forbidden city is a vast complex of halls, temples and housing which make up the former residence of the ancient emperors. Also known as the Imperial Palace, the complex is said to contain 9,999 rooms.

The complex is divided into a northern and southern part. The southern area is where the emperor would hold ceremonies and entertain guests. The northern half was kept completely private residence accessible only to the select circles of the emperor.

Today, the Forbidden City is one of the world's most famous tourist attractions and lately becoming ever more popular with film crews who pay a hefty price to film Chinese period pieces.

The price to get into the Forbidden City is pretty high, around 60 RMB but you will easily while away a couple of hours here. For an additional 20 RMB or so, you can purchase an audio tour in one of many languages. This tour is world-class. The English version is done by Roger Moore (of James Bond fame). Together with some sound effects he expertly guides you through the complex. Worth every penny.

The Beijing Olympic organizers have put ut a spectator's guide book that includes the norm they expt the spectators to follow. In the long list banned items, while most of them are common sense bans like, drunkness, nudity, gambling etc the Chinese lympic organizers have surprised people to include banners in the list. Banners supporting individual athletes or teams are also banned, so even if you want to support your favorite athlete or team you cannot carry a banner that can cheer them.

Babies are not completely banned but parents are encouraged to leave them at home.

The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing" is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.

Milestone

"Dancing Beijing" is a milestone of the Olympics. It serves as a classic chapter of the Olympic epic inscribed by the spirit of the Chinese nation, calligraphed by the deeper import of the ancient civilization, and molded by the character of Cathay's descendents. It is concise yet deep inside, bringing forth the city's gradual changes and development. It appears dignified yet bears a tune of romance, reflecting the nation's thoughts and emotions.

In the lead up to the Beijing 2008 Olympics, the emblem will attract more and more people from around the world to Beijing and China to join the great celebration with the Chinese people.

Commitment

"Dancing Beijing" is a Chinese Seal. It is engraved with commitment made to the Olympic Movement by a country that has 56 ethnic groups and a population of 1.3 billion. While witnessing the advocacy of the Olympic Spirit by a nation with both ancient civilization and modern culture, it also unfolds a future-oriented city's pursuit of the Olympic Ideal.

It is a symbol of trust and an expression of self confidence, standing for the solemn yet sacred promise that Beijing - the host city of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games - has made to the world and to all mankind.

"Complete sincerity can affect even metal and stone (literally meaning sincerity smoothes the way to success)." The inception of our ancestors' wisdom and the image of a seal made of metal and stone allow the emblem to present Chinese people's respect and honesty for the Olympics.

The moment we earnestly imprint the emblem with the "Chinese seal", Beijing is about to show the world a grand picture of "peace, friendship, and progress of mankind" and to strike up the passionate movement of "faster, higher, and stronger" for mankind.

Image

"Dancing Beijing" serves as the city's foremost appearance. It is an image that shows the eastern ways of thinking and the nation's lasting appeal embodied in the Chinese characters. It is an expression that conveys the unique cultural quality and elegance of Chinese civilization.

With inspiration from the traditional Chinese art form - calligraphic art, the character "Jing" (the latter of the city's name) is developed into the form of a dancing human being, reflecting the ideal of a "New Olympics". The words "Beijing 2008" also resembles the vivid shapes of Chinese characters in handwriting, voicing in concise strokes of the countless feelings Chinese people possess towards the Olympics.

As people ponder on the rich connotations and charms of these Chinese characters, a "New Beijing" has thus been brought forward.

Beauty

"Dancing Beijing" is a favorite color of the Chinese people. The color "red" is intensively used in the emblem, pushing the passion up to a new level. It carries Chinese people's longing for luck and happiness and their explanation of life.

Red is the color of the Sun and the Holy Fire, representing life and a new beginning. Red is mind at ease, symbol of vitality, and China's blessing and invitation to the world.

Hero

"Dancing Beijing" calls upon heroes. Olympic Games functions as the stage where heroes are made known, miracles created and glories earned, and where every participant constitutes an indispensable part of the occasion.

The powerful and dynamic design of the emblem is a life poem written by all participants with their passion, affections, and enthusiasm. It is an oath every participant takes to contribute power and wisdom to the Olympics.

The emblem cheers for arts and for the Olympic heroes, who pass down the essence of the Olympic Spirit, which well connects sports and cultures.

Spirit

"Dancing Beijing" extends the totem of the Chinese nation. The form of a running human being stands for the beauty and magnificence of life. Its graceful curves are like the body of a wriggling dragon, relating the past and future of one same civilization; they are like rivers, carrying the century-old history and the nation's pride; they are like veins, pulsing with vitality of life.

The intrinsic values of sports -- athlete-centered and people-oriented - are well defined and upgraded in an artistic way in "the dance of Beijing." We sing if words fail to explain it all, and we dance if the singing does not explicitly tell the meaning.

Vigorous Beijing is looking forward to the celebration in 2008 and the Olympics wait all mankind to dance together.

Invitation

"Dancing Beijing" is a kind invitation. The open arms in the emblem say that China is opening its arms to welcome the rest of the world to join the Olympics, a celebration of "peace, friendship and progress of mankind."

"Is it not a joy to have friends come from afar?" The idiom portrays the feelings of friendly and hospitable Chinese people and expresses the sincerity of the city.

Come to Beijing, take a good look at the historical heritages of China's Capital city, and feel the pulse of the country's modernization;

Come, share every piece of its joy, and experience the vigor of the country;

With a 1099 member squad China is sending the largest Olympic delegation ever in Chinese hisory for Beijing Olymics. The chinese Olympic delegation will participate in all the competitions of 28 Olympic events and 38 disciplines and includes 639 athletes from the sports associations of 31 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions, and of the PLA, the Railway and the Chinese Police.

The average age of the athletes in Chinese olypic squad is 24.2. Thirty-seven of the athletes participated in the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games and 165 participated in the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. This will be the third Olympic Games for diver Guo Jingjing, shooter Tan Zongliang and basketball player Li Nan. Beijing 2008 will be the Olympic debut for 469 Chinese athletes.

Chinese Delegation for Beijing Olympics

Liu Peng was appointed head of the delegation, while Yu Zaiqing, Duan Shijie, Xiao Tian, Cui Dalin and Cai Zhenhua will serve as deputy heads. Cui Dalin will double as secretary-general.

The Games of the 29th Olympiad will be held August 8-24 in Beijing. Events will also take place in Shanghai, Qingdao, Hong Kong, Tianjin, Shenyang and Qinhuangdao.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

SEGA® Corporation today announced an exclusive partnership with International Sports Multimedia (ISM), exclusive licensee of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to develop Beijing 2008™ - the Official Video Game of the Olympic Games. The game is being developed by Eurocom Entertainment Software for the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, and for PC. The online functionality of all of these platforms will ensure that for the very first time, fans of the Olympic Games will be able to experience the thrill of competing against other gamers across the globe in the world’s greatest sporting event. Beijing 2008 – The Official Mobile Phone Game of the Olympic Games™ is also in the works and will be available summer 2008.

Beijing 2008

Beijing 2008™ will be an authentic simulation of over 35 events from the upcoming Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and will allow gamers to experience the thrill of competing in many of the official venues ranging from the famous Beijing National Stadium (the “Bird Nest”) to the National Aquatics Centre (the “Water Cube”).

In addition, Beijing 2008™ will incorporate innovative control schemes that allow novice gamers to learn how to play the game, while providing experienced gamers the chance to set new records. Superb online gameplay, and a variety of game modes never seen in an official video game of the Olympic Games before, Beijing 2008™ will be the new benchmark for the sporting genre and truly allow gamers to experience the “Olympic Spirit”.

“Beijing 2008™ will set a new standard for sports games in this genre.” commented Hugh Binns, Director of Eurocom Development Ltd., developers of Beijing 2008™. “With a huge number of events, innovative control schemes to benefit new and experienced gamers, online multiplayer modes providing hours of entertainment and stunning high definition graphics, Beijing 2008™ will be a fantastic experience.”

“After the successful launch of Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games™, we are delighted to announce the official video game of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games,” stated Gary Knight, Marketing Director of SEGA Europe Ltd. “Combining an enjoyable game with a truly global sporting license will provide a fantastic sports game experience for gamers everywhere”.

“Extending our relationship with SEGA to include the Official Video Game of Beijing 2008 strengthens the opportunity to build upon the success of the children’s character game, Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games. We feel certain that SEGA will further the success of Athens 2004™, thereby delivering what will be an outstanding, quality gaming experience”, stated Raymond Goldsmith, Chairman & CEO of ISM.

Monday, November 12, 2007

We all know Michael Scofield’s famous tattoo in Prison Break but tattooing The Great Wall of China, dragons, Olympic rings, symbols of Olympic sports and Fuwa? on your body sure comes close in some way.

Archives

China is all set for the Beijing Olympics in September 06 - September 17, 2008. Beiing Olympic is definnitely the biggest event of 2008 and China is surely doing its best to startle the sports world with the best in class infrastructure and facilities. This Olympics blog would display Olympic 2008 photos,the wonderful Olympic stadiums, and other events that are initiated by the Beijing Olympic. Already it has been announced the Torchbearers for beijin Olympic would be announced before February 2008.